Foreword

Foreword by Naz Dossa

Culture can be best understood as “the way we do things around here”.
An organisation’s culture will influence employee’s behaviour and performance.

The concept of safety culture has taken on greater significance, particularly in high-hazard industries, as an increasing number of safety practitioners witness the influence that workers’ attitudes and behaviours have on the causes and effects of workplace incidents.

Poor safety culture encourages an atmosphere where not complying with safe working practices is acceptable, making it a consistent contributing factor to many major incidents and personal injuries.

Typically, organisations that have a poor safety culture can have the same underlying attitude to all processes and procedures. This can result in deficient product quality and financial control as well as substandard health and safety.

The challenge for health and safety professionals is how to change the attitudes and beliefs of a workforce. Applying current thinking in a practical way will help to achieve healthier and safer working environments.

This guide provides a definition of health and safety culture and looks at the key characteristics of poor and positive health and safety cultures. It outlines methods of creating a positive safety culture, as well as describing some of the key benefits.

We hope you find it useful.